U.S. patent application number 10/226322 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for electronic candle.
Invention is credited to Blackbourn, Leigh George.
Application Number | 20040037069 10/226322 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32472133 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040037069 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blackbourn, Leigh George |
February 26, 2004 |
Electronic candle
Abstract
A electronic candle comprising at least two light sources
located within a housing with a diffusing means. The two lights
sources are intermittently switched on and off so that they provide
the impression of a naked flame. The diffusing means act to enhance
the illusion. Together with a rechargeable internal power supply,
the electronic candle offers a safe alternative to a natural
candle.
Inventors: |
Blackbourn, Leigh George;
(Boston, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Supervisor, Patent Prosecution Services
PIPER RUDNICK LLP
1200 Nineteenth Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20036-2412
US
|
Family ID: |
32472133 |
Appl. No.: |
10/226322 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/161 ;
362/392 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21S 6/001 20130101;
H05B 47/155 20200101; F21W 2121/00 20130101; H05B 45/10 20200101;
H05B 45/00 20200101; H05B 45/40 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/161 ;
362/392 |
International
Class: |
F21L 019/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An electronic candle comprising a housing with a diffusing
means, at least two light sources and a switching circuit, wherein
the switching circuit is arranged to switch at least one of the
light sources on and off, whereby the light sources radiate via the
diffusing means to give the visual effect of a candle flame.
2. A candle according to claim 1, wherein one light source is
illuminated constantly while the candle is operating, while the
other light source is switched on and off at regular or irregular
intervals.
3. A candle according to claim 1, wherein both light sources are
switched on and off to create the flickering effect.
4. A candle according to claim 1, comprising an internal battery as
a power source.
5. A candle according to claim 4, wherein the internal battery is
rechargeable.
6. A candle according to claim 5, further comprising a docking port
arranged to receive a docking pin from an external charger.
7. A candle according to claim 6, wherein the docking port is
adapted so that, upon connection to the docking pin the candle is
switched off.
8. A candle according to claim 1, wherein the housing has the
appearance of a wax candle and the diffusing means forms the
equivalent of the wick on a wax candle.
9. A candle according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed
from a rigid plastics material with a melting point sufficient to
cope with the heat generated by the internal working of the
electronic candle.
10. A candle according to claim 1, wherein the diffusing means is
translucent, so as to enhance the flickering effect produced by the
light sources.
11. A candle according to claim 10, wherein the diffusing means is
made from frosted glass.
12. A candle according to claim 1, wherein each light source
comprises a light emitting diode (LED).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to electrically powered candle light
sources.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] For many hundreds of years wax candles have been used as a
convenient source of light with the light being provided by a naked
flame as it burns the body of the wax. With the event of gas
powered and later on, electric powered light sources the level of
candle use has decreased. However candles have remained a popular
alternative source of light. One possible reason for this is the
aesthetic quality of a naked flame and the unique style of lighting
it provides.
[0003] Just as the naked flame of the candle provides aesthetic
benefits it also provides all the dangers associated with fire. It
is because of these dangers that candles should not be left
unattended for extended periods of time or when small children are
about. Therefore there is a desire for light sources that provide
light of a similar aesthetic quality to that of a naked flame but
without the inherent dangers.
[0004] One way in which this has been done is by using a constant
electrical light source together with a means for periodically
interrupting the light given off and by such means creating the
flickering light effect reminiscent of a naked flame. The periodic
interruption is usually facilitated by a rotating disc or the like,
which must be hidden within a suitable housing to maintain the
illusion, this to some extent limits the potential designs
possible.
[0005] Another way of providing an artificial flame is in the form
of a specialised light bulb with more than one light filament,
wherein the filaments turn on and off independently of one another
so as to give the illusion of a flickering flame. These light bulbs
tend to be much more expensive that standard light bulbs due to the
more complicated filament arrangement. Also, in the event that one
of the filaments breaks, an event which is made more likely by the
continuous switching on and off of the filaments, the whole bulb
must be replaced if the aesthetic quality is to be maintained.
[0006] Neither of these examples however, provides the shear
portability that a wax candle allows, due to their reliance on
mains power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention provides an electronic candle comprising a
housing with a diffusing means, at least two light sources and a
switching circuit, wherein the switching circuit is arranged to
switch at least one of the light sources on and off, whereby the
light sources radiate via the diffusing means to give the visual
effect of a candle flame.
[0008] Preferably, one light source is illuminated constantly while
the candle is operating, while the other light source is switched
on and off at regular or irregular intervals, for example at a
frequency of around 1 Hz. However, it is possible for both light
sources to be switched on and off to create the flickering effect,
although it is preferred that, at any given time, at least one of
the light sources is illuminated.
[0009] The electronic candle preferably comprises an internal
battery as a power source.
[0010] As the aesthetic quality of the electronic candle is
important, it is understood that it is preferable for the housing
to have the appearance of a wax candle, with the diffusing means
forming the equivalent of the wick on a wax candle.
[0011] The housing may be formed from a rigid plastics material
with a high enough melting point to cope with the heat generated by
the internal working of the electronic candle. It is understood
that a plastic available in many colours is advantageous so as to
provide a wide choice of candle colours as with normal wax
candles.
[0012] It is preferred that the diffusing means will be translucent
so as to enhance the flickering effect produced by the light
sources. The diffusing means may be made separately from the
housing means. The diffusing means may be made from frosted
glass.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment the candles power source will be a
rechargeable, internal battery, whereby the candle may be connected
to a battery charger so that the candle's power source may be
renewed repeatedly. Each candle may have a docking port arranged to
receive a docking pin from the charger. The docking pin is arranged
to supply a power supply to facilitate the recharging of the
candles internal power supply.
[0014] Preferably, the docking port could also be arranged so that,
upon connection to the docking pin the candle is switched off.
Advantageously, a `dummy` docking pin could be used to turn the
candle off when it is fully charged but is not needed. Therefore by
inserting and removing the dummy pin the candle can be turned of
and off as desired.
[0015] Alternatively, the battery charger may itself have an
aesthetically suitable appearance, such that candles can be
connected to the charger for recharging and still function as
candles.
[0016] A preferred type of light source which may be used in the
electronic candles are light emitting diodes (LEDs). The flickering
effect provided by the electronic candles may be created by only
two light sources, however it may be advantageous to use more that
two light sources to create the flickering effect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of
the invention:
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment of the
electronic candle;
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the preferred embodiment of the
electronic candle;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electronic
candle;
[0021] FIG. 4 shows the docking of the electronic candle with a
charging means;
[0022] FIG. 5 shows the schematic of the internal workings of the
candle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the electronic
candle, although this has the appearance of a `tea-light` candle it
will be understood from the invention that other shapes of candle
are possible.
[0024] It can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 that the electronic 1
candle has two main regions, namely the housing means 2, which
holds the majority of the internal electronics of the candle, and
the diffusing means 3, which is positioned proximate to the light
sources 4. It is also evident from the figures that the electronic
candle 1 is completely self-contained and as such can be used in an
identical manner to normal wax candles.
[0025] With the benefit of FIG. 3 a preferred internal arrangement
for the candle can be seen. The housing means 2 contains the
majority of the electronic components comprising; the rechargeable
battery power source 7, the switching circuitry 6, the candle
on/off switch 9, the charger docking port 8 and the wires 5
connecting them all. The light sources 4, as can be seen in FIG. 3,
are positioned proximate to the diffusing means 3 in order that the
majority of light given off is incident upon the diffusing means 3.
It will be understood from the invention that this internal
arrangement is not the only way in which the components necessary
to operate the electronic candle 1 may be arranged.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates the interaction between the electronic
candle 1 and a charging means and shows the complementary nature of
the docking port 8 on the electronic candle 1 and the docking pin
11 on the charging means 10. Upon coupling of the docking port 8
and the docking pin 11 the charging of the internal battery source
7 of the electronic candle 1 may be initiated. Also, a diode 18 is
arranged to turn on when the candle is being charged. Although only
one docking pin 11 is shown in the figure it will be understood
that more than one could be present on charging means 10, thus
allowing for more than one electronic candle 1 to be charged
simultaneously.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows a schematic of the preferred internal
arrangement of the electric candle. In this embodiment the system
has two different circuits, the battery circuit and the LED
circuit. Also this embodiment has two different states, the first
is when the candle is docked on the charging means 10 and the
second is when it is not docked.
[0028] In the first state the docking pin 11 of the charging means
10 connects with the docking port 8 of the candle 1, when this
happens the docking pin makes contact with contact 20 which
completes the battery circuit wherein the batteries are recharged
by the charging means 10. The battery circuit comprises two NICAD
batteries 21 and a diode 18, which indicates when the circuit is
complete and thus the batteries 21 are being charged. Also, in this
state the LED circuit is switched off by the interaction of the
docking pin 11 with a switching means contact 19 of the candle
on/off switch (not shown).
[0029] In the second state the battery circuit supplies power to
the LED circuit, which comprises; two light emitting diodes 13a and
13b as the light sources, two transistors 14a and 14b, several
resistors 16 to balance the circuit, a capacitor 17 to smooth of
the any voltage changes and a binary counter 15 (74CHC4060) which
provides a switching signal to the first transistor 14a to change
the first LED 13a between an on state and an off state after a
pre-determined count interval. The other LED 13b is powered
continuously while the candle device is switched on. The
combination of the continuous light from one LED and intermittent
illumination from the other LED, when viewed through the
translucent diffuser, gives the effect of a flickering candle,
especially when viewed with the candle device placed inside a
second, larger diffuser, for example a frosted glass cover.
* * * * *